St. Johns County and the city of St. Augustine are working on an agreement that would extend sewer lines into part of West Augustine to help wean residents off failing septic tanks. The city has approved the agreement, and the county will likely consider it later this month.

The county was awarded a $470,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that requires a 45 percent local match. Under the agreement, the county will pay $257,000 in cash, and the city will contribute $128,000 for services such as design and construction of the project.

The project will allow some West Augustine residents to replace their septic tanks with the public sewer system.

Sewer lines were installed along Butler Avenue and Hurst Street a year and a half ago. Tom Crawford, director of Housing and Community Service for the county, said new lines will extend down the side streets of Butler Avenue.

Elaine Thomas of Butler Avenue, who has already connected to the city's water system, said the sewer extension has been good for the neighborhood.

"We've had a lot of trouble with the septic tanks out here," Thomas said.

But despite working hard, so many of her neighbors couldn't get the sewer lines by their houses, she said.

"I think it's really good that they're going to come out here and finish it up," Thomas said.

Crawford said West Augustine has a history of failing septic tanks.

"That's been the problem, and it's going to continue the be a problem," Crawford said. "So the more we can get on the sewer, the better off we'll be in the long haul."

The sewer extension will effect more than 300 lots. The area is a mix of occupied homes and vacant land.

Residents will be required to connect into the city's utility system as lines are installed. St. Augustine Utility Director John Regan said the cost to hook up varies, but is about $2,000.

Programs are available to help residents pay the connection fee.

Bill Lazar, director of St. Johns Housing Partnership, said the State Housing Initiative Program will fund the entire connection cost for low income residents. To be eligible, a house must have a homestead exemption, he said.

"We want to make sure it's benefiting the owner," Lazar said.

Cherry McDougle said she didn't think she would be eligible for financial assistance, but she wasn't worried. In fact, the McDougles recently bought a new septic system, but they're ready to move to sewer.

"It's worth it," McDougle said. "I'd really, really rather have it."

Residents such as Joan Jackson of Smith Street have complained about their septic tanks backing up.

"I'll be grateful to have anything done," Jackson said.

Residents also complained about flooding problems in the area. Crawford said flooding was unfortunately a different issue that won't be addressed with this project.

The city approved the interlocal agreement in August. The county, which has already budgeted the money, should review the agreement later this month, Crawford said.

Regan said the city's goal is to help the county in its affordable housing initiatives, he said.

"We're constantly looking for grant opportunities to be able to retrofit neighborhoods at an affordable cost," Regan said.

The project will also create properties with central water and sewer that can be developed as affordable homes, Regan said. Setback requirements often cause builders to use two lots to build a home with a septic system, he said.

Lazar said central water and sewer makes those lots more efficient.

"It's really hard to put a house, a well and a septic system on there," Lazar said.

Crawford said officials have been working with the EPA since last October to get approval, and the agency should give its final blessing within a month. Construction could start by the end of the year, he said.

Lazar said the project is more that just a public health and safety issue.

"It's the 21st Century. We've got to get people onto public water systems," Lazar said.